The YLAC Policy Collective is an initiative to create vibrant spaces on college campuses for public policy, debate and leadership. Supported by YLAC, it helps students engage with social and political issues, build skills, and grow as changemakers.

Starting a YLAC Policy Collective chapter will provide you with leadership opportunities in public policy and social impact, and offer a platform to build a strong foundation for your career in related fields - while also giving you the chance to shape citizen engagement with India’s democracy.

As part of the Collective, you will get the chance to organise, lead, and grow - while receiving curated mentorship from the YLAC team, exclusive access to events, policy opportunities and resources.

You will also gain recognition for your work on YLAC platforms, priority consideration for upcoming national initiatives, a certificate recognising your leadership and other performance-based rewards. This experience can position you as a changemaker on campus and help build skills and exposure for a strong career.

The Policy Collective team will organise discussions, workshops, speaker sessions, and research projects on pressing social and political issues. Supported by YLAC, members will engage in meaningful dialogue, deepen their understanding of public policy, and develop leadership and analytical skills. While the forms of support we provide remain constant, each YLAC Policy Collective chapter is ultimately shaped by its members. 

YLAC has a strong track record of working at the intersection of youth, public policy, and leadership. With years of experience running civic engagement programs across the country and contributing to policy debates - both directly and through its sister concern The Quantum Hub (TQH), a leading public policy research and advocacy firm in India - YLAC brings deep expertise, curated resources, and a committed team to support students in building meaningful policy spaces on campus.

Yes, YLAC will support you with regular check-ins, curated resources, and mentorship to get you started and keep your chapter on track. But ultimately, the energy, vision, and commitment of your team will shape its success and impact on campus.

Absolutely! Anyone with the passion for public policy and the drive to create something meaningful can apply - prior involvement with YLAC, YLAC Policy Collective, or public policy is not required.

Any college student enrolled in a college/university with at least nine months remaining in their course can apply.

We require this minimum time commitment so that you’re able to see the collective through its full year of activities and also mentor the next rung of student leaders who will take over after you. If you meet this criterion, you’re eligible to start a YLAC Policy Collective

If your college/university already has a YLAC Policy Collective, please get in touch with the founding team or write to us at [email protected].

If you have less than 9 months left, you won’t be able to start a Collective chapter. However,  you can still join as a member and contribute actively.

The founding team can have up to 6 members. While individuals may apply alone, applications with a full or partial founding team will be preferred.

YLAC provides curated resources, hands-on mentorship, and access to exclusive opportunities at no charge. Minimal operational expenses for campus events, if any, will need to be fundraised or managed by the team.

Yes, to affiliate an existing society/ club, you can reach out to YLAC at [email protected] with the request, and we will share the next steps on a case to case basis.

The executive leadership of each YLAC Policy Collective will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the year, which will include the names of the leadership team in recognition of their contribution.

No, each chapter is college-specific. However, we encourage inter-college collaboration and cross-learning!